idea

2 definitions
1

Definition 1

idea

n.

1. in cognitive psychology, a mental image or cognition that is ultimately derived from experience but that may occur without direct reference to perception or sensory processes.

2. in the writings of René Descartes and the British empiricist philosophers (see empiricism), a mental event that may correspond to something outside the mind but that is itself the immediate object of thought or perception. Descartes made a celebrated and much disputed distinction between derived ideas and innate ideas. See also association of ideas.

3. in the thought of Greek philosopher Plato (c. 427–c. 347 bce), the abstract or intellectual form of something regarded as its true reality. See Platonic idealism; theory of forms.

IDEA

abbreviation for Individuals With Disabilities Education Act.
2

Definition 2

idea

n.

1. in cognitive psychology, a mental image or cognition that is ultimately derived from experience but that may occur without direct reference to perception or sensory processes.

2. in the writings of René Descartes and the British empiricist philosophers (see empiricism), a mental event that may correspond to something outside the mind but that is itself the immediate object of thought or perception. Descartes made a celebrated and much disputed distinction between derived ideas and innate ideas. See also association of ideas.

3. in the thought of Greek philosopher Plato (c. 427–c. 347 bce), the abstract or intellectual form of something regarded as its true reality. See Platonic idealism; theory of forms.

IDEA

abbreviation for Individuals With Disabilities Education Act.

Related Terms

unconscious inference theory

unconscious inference theory the hypothesis that perception...

congenital color blindness

congenital color blindness see color blindness.

depth therapy

depth therapy any form of psychotherapy, brief or extended,...

subscale

subscale n. a scale that taps some specific constituent or...

beyond reasonable doubt

beyond reasonable doubt the standard of proof required in a...

nominal scale

nominal scale a sequence of numbers that do not indicate or...

Quick Info

Category Psychology Term
Definitions 2
First Letter I

Browse by Letter

A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z